As conversations around maternal health broaden beyond anaemia, hypertension and gestational diabetes, doctors are urging women to also pay attention to a lesser-known yet potentially dangerous condition, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Hospitals are reporting a noticeable number of DVT cases during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, prompting specialists to call for greater awareness among expectant and new mothers.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins, most commonly in the legs, disrupting normal blood flow. If left untreated, a clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Pregnancy naturally elevates this risk due to hormonal changes, increased blood volume, reduced mobility and the growing uterus pressing against pelvic veins.
“During pregnancy, the body’s clotting tendency increases to prevent bleeding during childbirth, but this also raises the risk of abnormal clot formation. Other factors like long periods of sitting, cesarean delivery, obesity, and dehydration further contribute to DVT risk,” said Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar.
She added that women should immediately pay attention to symptoms such as swelling in one leg, calf or thigh pain, unusual heaviness, warmth or redness. “DVT is preventable if recognised early, and prompt medical evaluation can save lives,” she said.
For 32-year-old Ankita S., a PR professional from Bengaluru, the warning signs seemed deceptively ordinary. Five days after delivering her baby, she noticed a dull ache in her left calf that worsened every time she stood up. “I thought it was just delivery fatigue,” she said. But by evening, the leg had visibly swollen. A Doppler scan at the emergency department confirmed a deep vein clot.
“I had no idea something so small could turn serious,” she recalls. Ankita underwent anticoagulant therapy for three months and recovered fully, but says the episode highlighted a gap in postpartum awareness. “Nobody told me that the risk continues even after childbirth.”
DVT is typically confirmed through a Doppler ultrasound, which helps identify clots in the deep veins. Treatment involves anticoagulant or blood-thinning medication, carefully chosen during pregnancy to protect both mother and baby. Postpartum women also remain at a heightened risk for several weeks after delivery, especially after a C-section.
According to a 2022 review published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, increasing obesity, rising C-section rates and longer sedentary periods during pregnancy are contributing to a steady uptick in reported VTE cases among Indian women.
Prevention, doctors say, is simple but often neglected. Light walking, prenatal exercises, staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged sitting, stretching legs frequently, and using compression stockings can significantly reduce the likelihood of clot formation.
“While pregnancy brings joy, it also demands careful attention to maternal health. Awareness of DVT and timely medical guidance can prevent serious complications, ensuring a safe journey to motherhood and recovery after delivery,” Dr Siddhartha said.
As India works to improve maternal health outcomes, experts believe incorporating DVT screening and counselling into routine antenatal care could help catch early signs and reduce avoidable emergencies.
